Early symptoms can include:
- An overwhelming sense of tiredness (fatigue)
- Feeling generally unwell
- Itching
- Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- An aching feeling or discomfort on the upper right side of your tummy (where your liver is)
- Losing weight for no reason
- Joint or muscle pain
- Aching joints
- Little or no appetite
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Skin rash
- Flu-like symptoms
- Missed periods (menstruation).
If the liver struggles to work more serious symptoms can develop. If you have any of these symptoms, tell a doctor straight away:
- Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet caused by a build-up of fluid (oedema)
- Swelling in your tummy caused by a build-up of fluid (ascites)
- Periods of confusion, forgetting things, mood changes or poor judgement (hepatic encephalopathy (HE) or brain fog)
- A tendency to bleed and bruise more easily, such as frequent nosebleeds and bleeding gums.
- If you have jaundice, you may notice your pee (urine) is darker than usual.
Even if you have no symptoms, if you have another autoimmune condition and are worried, tell your doctor.
Read more about the symptoms of liver disease.
Would you like this information in print?
Download our free autoimmune hepatitis booklet or email info@britishlivertrust.org.uk for a copy
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Published: June 2023
Review Due: June 2026